Ohio4Fred

I, like everyone else, have been going through this same process of assessing our remaining choices and trying to come up with an acceptable candidate. After a full year of research, conversation, and campaigning for Fred, none of the remaining candidates seem to measure up. However, too much is at stake to “sit this one out” or enter a protest vote for any third party candidate. It looks like I will, once again, vote “against” someone by choosing the least objectionable person.

Right now I am somewhat leaning towards Mitt Romney, but I am still wrestling with the decision. My support of Fred Thompson was strong and set in stone, while any preference right now is “set in Jello.” I have totally ruled out Hucklebee and Ron Paul, for what should be obvious reasons.

Hucklebee is way too slimy, and reminds me too much of Bill Clinton. Polished politician; often referred to as “likable” (to the uninformed voter); reverts to underhanded attack tactics then blames others for negative campaign; changes his position to the location, the audience, or the moment. Totally Unacceptable!

Ron Paul has many stances that I can agree with, but nearly all his views are way too extreme. His misreading of the constitution is troubling and destructive, and his aversion to any national defense is insane. The majority of his followers are either anti-war zealots, anti-drug law advocates, or anti-government anarchists. I regret giving RP more attention than he deserves, but I must admit that I enjoy any opportunity to rail against this whacko. Totally Unacceptable!

John McCain has not been totally wiped off of my list, but he is right on the edge. I have some very serious concerns about John McCain. Anyone must honor and respect JM’s military service, but it sometimes irks me that he always seems to refer back to his service 40 years ago when confronted with a tough question rather than going to his recent record. The MSM has dubbed him “The Maverick” for a reason. For many years, when the MSM has wanted a “Republican” to criticize the President, fellow republicans, or any conservative initiative, they would always call on John McCain. And McCain would be all too eager to comply. His close relationship and frequent collaborations with Ted Kennedy should trouble us all. Would a President McCain confer with Ted Kennedy before introducing a Supreme Court nominee? I believe, and history would tell us, that he would. That alone should be enough to scratch him from my short list, but there are many other problems including his liberal immigration stance. He NOW says that he “heard the American people” and supports building the fence first. However, he failed to hear the American people when they said “no” to amnesty. McCain still adamantly defends and supports amnesty, though he insists on drawing Clintonesque distinctions. Unacceptable unless faced with choice against Hillary or Obama!

Rudy has too many personal issues in his history for me to ever feel totally comfortable with him. Just like Bill Clinton, I find it hard to trust someone that can not honor the closest and most personal commitment in his life. I do think Rudy would be very good on national defense, but question his commitment to securing the borders and taking a strong stance against illegal immigration. A strong immigration and border policy is also an indispensable part of national defense. His pro-abortion history is a big problem. Though he now says he would appoint originalist judges, his history on abortion, second amendment rights, and other social issues makes me suspect he would nominate liberal activist judges throughout the Federal Courts. This goes back to the “Trust” issue. Unacceptable unless faced with choice against Hillary or Obama!

Romney is the only remaining viable candidate. At this point, I want to learn more about Romney since I know less about him than any of the remaining candidates. As I stated, the others have so many obvious deficiencies that I have explored and utilized much in my support of Fred Thompson. As I look back on it now, I have not really had as many substantive differences with Romney as the other candidates. He does seem too “plastic” to me, and too much like a “politician.” His plastic hair really annoys me, but I was able to get used to Ronald Reagan’s hair, so I may be able to get used to it. Fred never had that problem. Many worry about Mitt’s late conversion to pro-life, and I want to explore that also, but I would not discount a true conversion to the right to life position. That is, in essence, what we need to have more of in order to win the battle for life. I guess for me, at this point, Mitt Romney is leading by default. Still examining!

In closing, we are all disappointed that Fred is out, but must now select from the “lesser” candidates. We each need to make our own decision, and I hope that no one is offended by my assessment. If you favor one of those that I have crossed off my list I know that you have your reasons and I respect your choice (unless that choice is Ron Paul). I wish everyone here would commit to supporting whoever the eventual nominee is because the consequences of a Hillary or Obama administration would be devastating. The damage done could not be corrected in my lifetime, and my children deserve more for their future.

Please comment below and give your current assessment of the field.

Thank you,
Tim

Fred Thompson just began running the latest campaign ad in South Carolina, thanks to the generous help of thousands of supporters like you and I that made modest donations to the campaign.

Please Help

The financial support for Fred’s campaign has been very strong since he dominated the South Carolina Republican debate, but this is a long campaign and Fred will continue to need the cash to get his Consistent Conservative message out to the voters. If you can, please make a modest contribution to Fred’s campaign.

Thank you,
Tim

What a Day This Has Been!

For the last 24 hours or so we have all been on a Fred high like nothing I would ever have expected.

*Fred had a stellar performance in the South Carolina debate like nothing that even the most ardent supporter could have hoped for or imagined.

*We have listened to the Focus Group, to Stephanopoulos, Russert, Colmes, Hannity, Ingraham, Rush, Levin, and many others. Every one agreed that Fred Thompson won the debate on substance and style.

*There was praise of Fred Thompson from those that have ignored him to this point.

*Contributions to fill the Red Truck surged, with donations far exceeding the $540,000 goal. The total at 00:01 Saturday morning was at an astounding $785,765. This is a full 46% over the original goal.

*We watch the campaign videos posted at Fred08.com, and see enthusiastic, overflowing crowds at every stop. And Fred seems to be feeding off of this energy, and building on the success of the debate.

This has truly been a great day to be a FredHead. We have earned a day like this, and Fred certainly earned his way last night. I am sure that he and Jeri have enjoyed this day even more than we have.

After such an awesome day, that we have waited so long for, we will need to come back to earth and get back to work. As great as we all felt today, I want everyone to think back to what you were thinking and feeling just hours before the debate.

It was not directly talked about or even mentioned very much among Fred’s supporters, but it was obvious that we were all becoming dejected and beginning to doubt our chances for success. Why not? Everyone was telling us that we had no chance of success. We were just waiting for Fred to quit and the end to come. I made a couple donations during that time frame, and I will admit now that I wondered if this was all in vain.

I don’t bring this up now to put a damper on our optimism, but to ensure that we learn from this experience.

*When we were down and mentally preparing to accept defeat, Fred was there and picked us up with his optimism and performance in the debate.

*When we were dejected and tiring, the “laid back” Fred Thompson showed us how to keep fighting and raise the energy level.

*When we began to wonder if the MSM was correct in saying that Fred did not really want the job, Fred showed America that, rather than personal ambition, his love of God, Family, and Country will drive his quest for the Presidency.

*When everyone else was at their lowest, Fred responded with the performance of a lifetime. I believe that history will look back on this debate as the turning point in a new conservative revolution.

This is the beginning of the new campaign. Fred knows it, and we should know it also. This will be a long hard fight. There will be ups and downs, good days and bad days. Today we should learn that the brightest days can follow the fiercest storms. Throughout this campaign we must remember these past two days. When we have those inevitable bad days, we must look back and know that tomorrow will be brighter with hard work, perseverance, prayers, and Fred.

Lets keep up the good work, remain optimistic, and work to keep each other focused and on track. Trust in the next President of these United States, Fred Dalton Thompson.

Lets get to work!
Tim

Anyone that watched the debate last night left knowing that Fred came away the clear winner. All of the commentators last night, and even the focus group agreed that Fred won every aspect of the debate from content to delivery.

I was anxious to see how the performance would be spun in the morning by the MSM.
Well, they seem to have worked through the night and gotten their story together.
I only got a chance to watch ABC and NBC reports on the debate, but both George Stephanopolis and Tim Russert had the exact same spin.

I am always amazed how they are able to dig through the obvious meaning of a story and tell us what we really should think. They both independently agreed that Fred clearly won the debate on all points, and that his responses exposing the record and shortcomings of Huckabee were highlights of the debate. They both also agreed that the person that would benefit most from this performance was not Fred, but his “friend” John McCain. ? ? ? They both implied that this was an intentional strategy by Fred, not to win, but to help out his “friend.”

I am not one to sign on to conspiracy theories, and I am not suggesting one here, but as usual both networks had exactly the same spin on a story. My spin on this story is that they independently fear something about a Fred Thompson candidacy. Could it be that they know they can not control him, and he will not jump on their command? Do you remember “No Hand Shows” from the Iowa debate?

Fred needs to respond to this spin and make it clear to the MSM that it is not their roll to select the presidential candidates. He needs to make it clear that he has no hidden agenda, but is in this race to win it because he recognizes that there is no other clear conservative choice. Certainly not in John McCain. Fred needs to respond quickly, as such spins quickly become fact if not strongly responded to. We all remember two earlier spins - that Fred is lazy, and later, that he didn’t want to be president. Perception becomes reality, and this will soon be the only news of this debate if it is not responded to quickly and strongly.

We, as his supporters, need to also respond quickly and decisively. We must email and call any news outlet that pushes such spin, and make them aware that they can no longer get away with “spinning a good story.”

It must have been intimidating for Mitt Romney to be placed next to Fred Thompson in the Iowa debate. Mitt was forced to look up to Fred both literally and figuratively throughout the afternoon. It must have worn on him as the debate progressed, because several times Mitt looked to Fred for guidance in his answers.

When asked about the biggest obstacle to improved education Fred gave an honest and tough answer, explaining that the NEA has been the biggest obstacle to ANY changes to the education system. Mitt followed Fred’s answer with, “I agree with Senator Thompson on that. Boy, they’ve been the biggest obstacle to change in education and choice.” Great “follow the leader,” Mitt.

The most memorable of these “Mitt Follows” was during the “no hand shows” exchange. Rudi, Huck, McCain, and Mitt quickly and obediently raised their hands when asked to by the moderator. Fred objected to a “show of hands” on an issue as complex and controversial as the “cause of global warming.” I must admire Mitt Romney’s reaction time, as he quickly pulled his hand down, and said “I’m with him” as he gestured to Fred and then started applauding. The only thing that would have made the moment better would be if Mitt had used the words “I’m With Fred.” Can you imagine THAT sound clip in a campaign ad?

The “no hand show” Q & A tells us a lot about the candidates.

All the leading contenders except for Fred were quick to follow the directions of the moderator, without a thought of exactly what they were agreeing to. I guess that is second nature to those with a sound bite mentality. Senator Thompson immediately recognized that this was not a subject that could be dealt with by a show of hands. The others did not understand the complexity of the issue, or they did not have the courage to confront the moderator. If you can not confront a moderator from a local newspaper, how can you deal effectively with other world leaders, including our enemies?

After Fred challenged the show of hands, there was much inaudible crosstalk on stage as the others scrambled to determine what their reaction “should” be. It is very disturbing that all of the other candidates were so intimidated by the moderator and the situation that they could not make an independent decision.

Mitt’s quick flip from a raised hand to applauding Senator Thompson should raise questions about how firm he is in his views and convictions.
However, I must give Mitt considerable credit for his ability to choose and follow the one leader on stage, Senator Fred Dalton Thompson!

Main Stream Media is Taking Notice

The consensus seems to be that Fred Thompson handily won the Iowa debate on Wednesday.
Following are links to just a few of the articles that have declared that Fred Thompson was the clear winner in this debate. It seems that we are just beginning to see the Fred Thompson that we have anticipated for a long time.

The Daily Standard
THE WINNER was Fred Thompson. Fred came to play.
The Weekly Standard

CBN News – The Brody File
Fred Thompson: Don’t Count Him Out
CBN News

USA Today / The Des Moines Register – David Yepsen
Thompson Scores Debate Points
USA Today / Des Moines Register

Politico
Restrained Candidates Stay Polite
Politico.com

Thank you,
Tim

The following link is to the archive for Mark Levin’s nationally syndicated radio show from 12/12/2007.
You need to listen to at least the first 5 minutes of this clip where Mark declares that Fred Thompson won the debate “hands down”, and presents numerous audio clips and commentary to make his point.
Mark Levin Debate Analysis

Joel Achenbach of WashingtonPost.com decided to take issue with the Fred and Jeri Thompson interview that aired on Hannity and Colmes the other night, and it’s not for reasons you’d think. As a Thompson supporter, I have grown accustomed to the litany of complaints about Fred Thompson, and after awhile you learn to tune them out. There is only so many times I can hear the word lazy and Fred Thompson in the same sentence, so thank goodness Achenbach just tap dances around it,

Thompson is running a strong second in the national polls, and has single-handedly restored to common usage the word “laconic.” He mulled a presidential run back in the spring, then ambled into the race about a month ago, and may soon get around to saying why he should be president. This is a man who cannot be rushed…

But wait there’s more!

…More problematic is his style on the stump, which, to hear reporters tell it, has the tendency to stupefy the audience. He’s as vague as the day is long. He has to cue his listeners that it would be an appropriate time to clap. But some folks may find him a calming, reassuring presence. They may get the sense that, no matter what crisis might erupt, Thompson won’t get too riled about it, and it’ll still soon be nap time.

While the article starts in with the same litany of complaints, it didn’t take long for Mr. Achenbach to bust out a new one.

Thompson’s children were a distraction.

As a wife and mother, I cannot tell you how much that bothers me. But then again, what should I expect from a society that places such little emphasis on the most precious and innocent among us? Children are seen as nothing more than a celebrity fashion statement, or a “choice” with no rights and no voice. Some in society expect the rest of us to see children as an inconvenience. I simply refuse to do that. I watched the interview while my 3.5 year old son proceeded to use me as his own personal jungle gym and while posting a few short news stories to Falcons for Fred. I’m not sure how I did it, but somehow I managed to focus on Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and hear 99 percent of what they said. I guess those of us with children are able to effectively multi-task more-so than your average political pundit/blogger. Achenbach goes on to write,

The unflappable nature of Thompson was on display on Wednesday night when he and his wife, Jeri, sat for an interview with Sean Hannity. The first segment began with each parent holding a child. Jeri held the little one, Samuel, who quickly disappeared off-camera, but Fred kept 4-year-old Hayden parked on his left leg for six minutes, even as the little angel did everything in her diabolical power to distract the viewer.

She puffed her cheeks. She waved her hands. She counted. She hummed. She sang. She scratched her nose. She bit on her blouse. She scuffed her palms together as if washing her hands of a problem. To her credit, she didn’t squirm: She was, in fact, a very well behaved young lady, but like much of America she had not the slightest interest in whatever the candidate was saying.

Children can be excellent political props. Usually they are lined up in front of the politician, or perhaps on risers behind, serving as a kind of bunting. The stagecraft in the Hannity interview was presumably intended by the Thompson campaign to humanize the candidate and soften the image of his wife, who has been the target of accusations that she’s more ambitious than he is. Message: I couldn’t get a sitter! What professional Mom wouldn’t relate?

I don’t really think you need to humanize Fred Thompson or his wife. Let’s leave the maniacal fake laughter to Hillary Clinton. It’s her image that needs to be softened not Jeri’s, but I digress. However, that wasn’t the worst of it,

The presidential candidate, meanwhile, said … well, who knows what he said. The kid stole the show. Surely viewers were shouting at the TV screen, “Hand her to the nanny!”

Spoken like a true liberal. Just shove the children off to the babysitter, nanny or day care. You mean parents aren’t supposed to raise their children? Nolan must have been distracting me again, because I obviously missed another memo. I for one applaud Fred and Jeri Thompson for having their children there on set with them for part of the Sean Hannity interview. I applaud them for campaigning as a family. Some will say the children are being used as a political prop, but I simply don’t see it that way. I see it as a mother and father who deeply love their children and share all aspects of family life TOGETHER. Wow, there’s a novel idea — parents raising their own children, spending time with them and being responsible for their care. The United States would be a much better place if all parents were as invested in their children as Fred and Jeri are. Obviously, it’s no secret that I disagree with the Hillary Clinton mantra of “it takes a village to raise a child”. Because it’s typically the one’s who tell you it takes a village that have the nannies. As a parent, it’s my job (along with my husband) to raise our son. The job does not belong to his grandparents, his Preschool teacher, or his aunts or uncles. But try telling socialists that. To make an issue out of Hayden and Samuel at an interview is really quite petty and nit-picky. It makes the people doing it look like a bunch of jackasses.

Bill Clinton tells us why Republicans like Fred Thompson in an article titled “Bill Clinton Says Thompson’s Fumbles May Cost Him, Admires McCain”.

Renee Daley analyzes this article and Mr. Clinton’s flawed thinking in her latest article, “Clinton on Thompson”

Republican Candidate Debate on Economic Issues
Be sure to catch the Republican candidate debate on Tuesday, November 9th, as this will be the first time that Fred Thompson will be on stage with the other candidates. I personally do not think that the rehearsed, sound bite exchanges of modern media debates are well suited to exhibit Fred Thompson’s strong points, but I do believe that he will be able to hold his own against the competition.

CNBC/MSNBC/The Wall Street Journal are jointly sponsoring the first Republican Presidential debate of the 2008 campaign focusing on economic issues. It will be held on October 9 in Dearborn, Mich. and will be broadcast live on CNBC at 4 PM ET and re-broadcast on MSNBC at 9 PM ET. CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews will host the debate.

Christian Alliance Forum

Another appearance by Fred Thompson is scheduled for 7 pm EST on Thursday, October 11th. This candidate forum is being sponsored by the Ohio Christian Alliance in conjunction with chapters from several other states, and will include Fred Thompson, Allen Keyes, and Sam Brownback.

Full information is available on the Ohio Christian Alliance website. The forum will be broadcast and webcast by NewsTalkColumbus. Click on the NewsTalkColumbus link, and the link to the forum webcast is at the top of the left sidebar. Be there on Thursday, at 7 pm EST.

We have another fine article submitted by Renee, of Bowling Green State University. In this article she expands on a comment by Fred Thompson in his reply to “HillaryCare”. The article, “Liberals and S-P’s Convenient Use of ‘Choice”‘, examines the question of “Who Really Believes in Choice?”

We finally got the long awaited “announcement” last night (this morning) on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Now that Fred is officially in the race he will need two things to keep this movement going, Money and increasing Grassroots Support. I ask that you make a small donation to the campaign by selecting the “Fred08″ contribution button at the top of the right sidebar. If you are not already a member at Ohio4Fred, please take a couple minutes to register.

Ohio will be vital to a successful campaign, and we will be using the member list on Ohio4Fred to keep supporters informed of current news and planned activities. As the campaign progresses and activities are planned in the area we will need a ready list of supporters to request the needed volunteers.

Fred has posted a 15 minute “Announcement Video” on his official Campaign Website, which is now at www.fred08.com. In this video Fred Thompson summarizes his reasons for entering the race, his philosophy, and his position on major issues. This is a “must see” for any of his supporters and those that are still examining the candidates.

We Need Fred Thompson in the White House in 2008.

Fred Thompson Needs you right now.

Fred has stepped up for us, we must now step forward for him!